Every leader needs to grow.  And most leaders want to grow.  But growth isn’t automatic.  Growth doesn’t necessarily follow education or even experience.  There are many educated and aging leaders who are stagnant.

So how does a leader grow? We learn from the apostle Paul that leadership growth happens when we follow Jesus by making good, Spirit-filled decisions over time.

Here are four seasons we see in Paul’s life and ministry that every leader can expect when he is committed to good decision-making:

Discovery

The early stage of leadership is a time of discovery just as it was for Paul as he went off to Arabia for three years.  The leader has the skills, the character, and the calling to influence others.  But he lacks a clear understanding of how he can best use his leadership DNA to serve people.

This season demands humility, patience, and a teachable spirit.  The wise leader will pray, ask questions, and learn from more mature leaders.  He will also experiment and see his failures as opportunities rather than obstacles.

Development

This season is marked by personal growth in the leader’s strength zone.  We read that Paul (then still Saul) “kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews”—Acts 9:22.

Like Paul, the leader in this season has discovered his best gifts and applies himself to sharpen his skills.  The leader becomes increasingly comfortable with his limitations and learns to build teams that will compliment his leadership strengths.

At this point, the leader focuses on what is important rather than on just what is demanded.  His leadership character begins to catch up with his skills.  And his decision-making becomes more intentional than reactionary.

Deepening

To the Thessalonians Paul said, “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts”—1 Thessalonians 2:4.

In this season, the leader uses his strengths to dive deep into the lives of those who are living the mission.  He is no longer a positional leader, but has a proven track record that builds trust with others.  Therefore, when he speaks people tend to respond with respect and action.

The deepening season allows the leader to make a major contribution in his field, in his family, or in his church.  But he must be very careful to avoid the pitfalls of overestimating his strengths or underestimating his weaknesses.  Remember King David at this point.  If he avoids these dangers, this season is incredibly productive and rewarding.

Duplicating

“These entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also”—2 Timothy 2:2b.  The next generation was the focus of Paul’s ministry late in life.

During this duplicating season the leader extends his influence beyond himself and even beyond his organization.  He invests in younger leaders and then releases them to lead with greater success than he ever personally experienced.

Like Barnabas was with Paul and Paul was with Timothy, the duplicating leader is willing to step back so others can step forward.  And he is determined to leave a legacy of health and success for those who follow him.  This season reveals the character of the leader and the significance of his work as he multiplies himself in others who will carry the baton well into the future.

The Close

These four seasons are not linear in the sense of moving from beginning to end.  Instead, like seasons of the year, they reoccur and develop more fully over time and with each new assignment.  So determine where you are in your leadership development and then make decisions that will move you to the next season of greater influence.

Note Paul’s advice to Archippus: “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it”–Colossians 4:17.

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